Emmaus Borough Council voted to adopt the 2015 budget at the Dec. 15 council meeting.

"I think borough council achieved something that in the nine years I've been here we haven't done, but we're collectively decreasing the amount residents pay for taxes, between $19 and $21," Councilman Wesley Barrett said. In addition, in-home business taxes have been reduced by $87.

"I think this council has the right mindset with moving in the right direction," Councilman Brent Labenberg said. "We're trying to pay off debt without taking any more debt on. If this council continues, hopefully by around 2021 this borough will be debt free basically freeing up $530,000 to $550,000 a year. That's a lot of money this borough could use to catch up on a lot of infrastructure, equipment and maintaining taxes."

In other business, the Lehigh Valley Adult Baseball League sent a request to council asking for a field fee waiver. Councilman Roy Anders said the parks and recreation committee decided the fee should not be waived.

Councilman Brian Holtzhafer argued, while he doesn't think the fee should be completely waived, he feels there should be a reduction. The fee is $40 per game with a total of $360 for nine games.

"I do feel if that field can generate revenue, we would be making a mistake not to explore that opportunity," Holtzhafer said. "If we can get a baseball team to play on a field and pay us to play there, those people will also bring their money to spend at our snack bar and will increase revenue to the park." Holtzhafer made a motion to offer a discounted rate of $300 for nine games. There was no second so the motion died. Other members of council felt the baseball team will pay the fee regardless.

Council had a re-decision on bids originally voted for at the Nov. 17 meeting.

"As you're aware, we threw out the bids for the oil fuel, diesel and kerosene from the last bid opening due to numerous issues with all three bidders," Borough Manager Shane Pepe said. All bids were disqualified and the contracts were rebid, Pepe said. Lehigh Fuels was awarded the heating oil, unleaded fuel and diesel fuel contracts, while Harned Durham was awarded the kerosene contract.

Ordinances 1115 and 1116 had second readings and were passed by council with a 7-0 vote. Both ordinances deal with the definition change to the word spouse as per the common laws of Pennsylvania. Ordinance 1117 had its second reading and was also passed by council. This ordinance deals with the new fee schedule for parking tickets.

Ordinance 1118 passed its final reading as well, and deals with levying taxes for the 2015 fiscal year, as well as the creation of the fire fund tax.

A first reading of Ordinance 1119 took place and involves Landis Circle. Residents petitioned council to turn Landis Circle into a one-way street going north. The first reading was passed 7-0.

Resolution 2014-5 was passed which will allow a lot line adjustment for 836 and 818 Walnut Street.

According to the state of Pennsylvania, the tax collector must now have a deputy tax collector. This person will not get paid but is there in case the tax collector is unable to perform his or her duties. It was the wish of tax collector Dennis Gouldy to have his wife Debra be appointed deputy tax collector. Council voted 7-0 in favor of Debra becoming deputy tax collector contingent on receiving the request in a written document by Gouldy.

Council reappointed multiple people to several council boards: Pamela Miller to the Board of Health with a term expiring Jan. 1, 2020;, John Stover Jr. to the Vacancy Board with a term expiring Jan. 1, 2016; Don Nickerson as an alternate to the Zoning Hearing Board with a term expiring Jan. 1, 2018; Jean Nagle and Janie Slamon to the Public Library Board both with terms expiring Jan. 1, 2018; and Carol Bastian to the General Authority with a term expiring Jan. 1, 2020.